Arthur Capper Papers

Introduction

The Arthur Capper Papers (Collection 12, KSHS) were given to the Kansas State Historical Society by his estate on April 2, 1957. Primarily they cover his 30 years as United States Senator from Kansas 1918-1948, although there are some items relating to the years prior to that time frame as well as after that period until his death in 1951. The Kansas State Historical Society does not have the literary property rights to these papers.

Biography

Arthur Capper was born July 14, 1865, at Garnett, KS of an English, abolitionist father and a Quaker mother. Interested early in printing, he went to work with the Topeka Daily Capital newspaper after graduation from high school in 1884. Nine years later, after work as a typesetter, printer, reporter and city editor, he became a publisher (of the North Topeka Daily Mail). In 1901, he bought the controlling interest in the Topeka Daily Capital; and his subsequent media enterprise included a number of magazines and newspapers as well as one of the first radio stations in Kansas (WIBW).
His first public office was in 1909 when he was named a member and chairman of the Board of Regents of the Kansas State Agricultural College (now Kansas State University, Manhattan). In 1912, he was the Republican candidate for governor, but lost the election by 29 votes because of the split between the regular (Taft) and Bull Moose (Teddy Roosevelt) Republicans. In 1914, he was elected governor and served two terms, from 1915-1919.

In 1918, he ran for and was elected U. S. Senator from Kansas, a position to which he was reelected four more times, serving from 1919-1949. He declined to run for reelection in 1948 when he was 83 years old. He returned to live in Topeka and survived to age 86 when he died in Topeka December 19, 1951.

He was married in late 1892 to Florence Crawford, daughter of former governor Samuel J. Crawford. (The city of Florence, KS, was named for her.) She died May 10, 1926. They had no children.

(For more details regarding Capper, see the appended newspaper summary of Capper’s life and achievements.)

Scope and Content

Nearly half the collection, in terms of volume, consists of general correspondence; a fourth is devoted to Capper’s speeches; the remainder is equally divided among agricultural correspondence, business papers, correspondence with famous people and legislative, political and personal correspondence. As noted above, the period covers primarily Capper’s five terms as United States Senator, although some does pre-date and some postdates the years 1919-1948. There are minor gaps in some of the material.

The collection reflects the many facets of Arthur Capper. He clearly was aware of the value of media and made astute use of his printed publications and radio station (as well as network radio and the national press) to communicate not only with his Kansas constituents, but with people all across the country – from the rich and famous to the poor and unknown. The collection also reflects his wide range of interests and concerns and his deep commitment as a public servant.

His primary interests; agriculture, keeping out of war, suffrage and other concerns for the District of Columbia, the Republican Party, prohibition, Kansas industries, foreign relations, immigration, neutrality, taking the profit out of war, fair trade, marriage and divorce codes. Over the course of time, the papers reveal the isolationist Capper of post-World War I having to shift his views somewhat with the advent of World War II. Also documented in the collection are his struggles to help his Kansas constituents adjust to the changing scene following World War I, survive the depression of the thirties, cope with the difficulties of World War II and again readjust after that war. The political facet is evident in his campaigns, his voting record during his terms of office, and his many speeches – speeches which characterize not only the changing times of his senatorial service but also reveal his ability to use the media.

The public spirit of the man is seen throughout in his concern for civil rights, veterans’ problems, environmental problems, handicapped children, youth, military conscription, human services, peace, automobile safety, the small businessman and patriotism. These concerns are likewise evident in his personal papers, although these reveal little of the man personally. As might be expected, the personal papers and his correspondence with famous people contain much courtesy mail though both suggest the extensive range of his acquaintances.

Capper’s media involvement is detailed in the business papers related to the Capper Publications (principal correspondent; Henry b. Blake) and WIBW radio (principal correspondent: Ben Ludy). This correspondence provides insight into the newspaper and radio business as well as a limited view of Capper as a businessman.

The original manuscript, page proofs and galley proofs of Dr. Homer E. Scolofsky’s biography of Capper are also part of the collection. Additional items include Capper’s three volumes of Congressional Session books (listing the number of the bill, date, subject, purpose and subcommittee for those bills with which Capper was involved) and his personal checkbooks (stubs) for 1922-1941.

Contents List

Series Description

General Correspondence Boxes 1 – 28 (Pages 1-35)
Arranged alphabetically by subject matter (including people’s names) and chronologically within the subject matter. Of special interest is the extensive information on air bases in WW II, airports, claims against the government in WW II, conscription, federal housing in WW II, Federal Works Administration, flood control, Kansas judicial system, munitions racket, national defense in WW II, neutrality, contacts with a wide variety of organizations, prohibition, taxation matters, World War I, World War II, District of Columbia (Washington, DC).

Famous People Boxes 29 – 31 (Pages 36-41)
Arranged alphabetically by last name and chronologically within that. Certain people merit their own separate folder.

Agricultural Correspondence Boxes 32 – 37 (Pages 41-46)
General correspondence having to do with agriculture is partly chronological (Box 32 and part of Box 33) and the rest is alphabetical by subject matter and chronological within each subject. Correspondence on cooperatives, livestock and wheat is fairly extensive.

Political Correspondence Boxes 42 – 45 (Pages 50-52)
Campaign correspondence is arranged chronologically (Boxes 42-44). This series also contains voting records for the 71st through 80th Congresses (arrangement varies a bit from year to year, first being alphabetical by subject and then changing to chronological with an index by subject matter).

Speeches Boxes 46 – 63 (Pages 52-79)
Chronologically by year 1911-1951. Some years have several file folders. Precise dates are not always indicated; speeches are not always titled, though subjects are identified; the place, and event and media for the speech are usually indicated. Several folders of miscellaneous speeches (Boxes 60-61) are undated and contain many handwritten notes. One entire box consists of handwritten notes on small pieces of paper, undated. Several diaries and notebooks dealing with names and addresses, appointments, quotes and sayings and personal journals for both Arthur Capper and Florence Capper for an eight-month period 1891-1892 are also in this series.

Business Papers Boxes 69 – 76 (Pages 84-89)
Chronological by year and within year (1904-1951 Capper Publications; 1928-1951 WIBW Radio). The primary correspondent in capper Publications is Henry S. Blake, vice-president and general manager; for WIBW is Ben Ludy, general manager. There are a visitors book for 1943-1948; three volumes of information regarding Senate bills with which Capper was involved; and nine books of check stubs, with some overlapping, listing personal expenses by Capper relating to his duties as a Senator.

Bankruptcy 1933 – broadcast re Summers bill providing for relief for persons & business generally through a modified form of bankruptcy; proposed Robinson amendment to include farms in Summers bill; Robinson-Steagall bill providing for refinancing of farm mortgage indebtedness through second mortgages on long terms & at low interest rates.

Baxter Springs 1944-1947 – re Military Chemical Works and its conversion to peace-time industry for manufacture of fertilizer.

Bethany College 1941-1948 – re Bethany College having its library designated as a selective depository for Federal Government publications.

Bethel College 1950 – requesting memorial gift for new library.

Bill of Rights 1941 – SJRes100 introduced by Capper providing for observance of 150th Anniversary of Bill of Rights.

Boeing Airplane Company 1943-1948 – War Production Board notified of negative conditions at Wichita plant (1943); approval of shop, supervisory and technical – clerical rates; concerns of keeping plant production (primarily B-29’s for Pacific Theatre) up to par as war winds down in Europe (March 1945); activation in 1948 of plant for modification & production of bombs in connection with Navy & Air Force joint aircraft program; plant difficulties with Veterans Administration.

Calendar Simplification 1928-1947 – John Kee bill in House for adoption of World Calendar to stabilize time-table. (pamphlets)

Carver, George Washington 1949-1953 - Appeal of The George Washington Carver Foundation for funds; HR3s5 designating January 5th as George Washington Carver Day; undelivered speech 5/12/49 for Kansas George Washington Carver Memorial Foundation program at Mac Vicar Chapel at Washburn University; dedication of Missouri birthplace as National Monument on July 14, 1953 (Capper’s birthdate).

Cheyenne Bottoms Game Refuge 1930-1948 – S3950 authorizing migratory refuge in Cheyenne Bottoms, Barton City (1930). Need for new appropriation under flood control or rivers & harbors bill. ($250,000 originally appropriated for purchase of land lapsed because land price exhorbitant). 1947 possibility of flooding bottoms by Kansas State Forestry & Game Commission. Blueprint showing topography.

Chiropractors 1941 - HR1052 Totan bill to give chiropractors right to take care of government cases like MDs or osteopaths; concern re profession not represented on Healing Arts Educational Advisory Committee to Director of Selective Service.

Crippled Children 1931-1947 - Capper interview 3/6/47 on WRC with David Brinkley re Capper Foundation for Crippled Children; International Society for Crippled Children; National Society for Crippled Children & Adults, Inc.; American Federation of the Physically Handicapped; clippings, speeches.

D (General)
Harry Darby; Gomer Davies; Dean of Grace Cathedral John Day; Laird Dean, Merchants National Bank; American Gold Star Mothers of the World War, Inc.; Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom; light cruiser named “Topeka” to be launched April 1944; S692 providing for grant to Prisoners Relief Society for use in rehabilitation of chronic alcoholics.

Disarmament 1933 – World Disarmament Campaign (conference to continue despite withdrawal of Germany); reentry of Germany and subsequent withdrawal from conference and League of Nations as well. Speeches.

Federal Works Administration 1941-1945 - Defense Public Works; Lanham Act; location of Sunflower Ordnance Plant at Eudora; Child Care service in Salina; De Soto schools; War Production Board re Douglass Hospital in Kansas City; Child Care Facilities at KU; Vo-Tech at Abilene; FWA aid for various Kansas towns and public school systems.

Hoover, Herbert 1928-1949 - Capper letter to William Allen White in 1942 re Hoover’s book “Problems of a Lasting Peace”; radio address by Capper during Hoover’s presidency; Capper’s support for re-nomination and re-election of Hoover-Curtis ticket; pamphlets.

Italy 1944-1947 - proposal to use Italian prisoners of war in private employment; John J. McCloy, acting Secretary of War; Committee for a Just Peace with Italy (1946) re concerns with Italian treaty 1947.

Jews 1937-1948 - American Jewish Congress; Zionist Organization of America; American Zionist Bureau; Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs; Stephen S. Wise; Committee for a Jewish Army; American Palestine Committee; American League for a Free Palestine; American Memorial to Six Million Jews of Europe Inc. 1947; Capper talk before American Jewish Congress 1948; Anti-Jew propaganda piece.

League of Nations 1918-1938 - Capper appointed vice-chairman Mid-continent Congress for League of Nations 1919; editorials (Capper in favor of staying out of LN); Speech re staying out of European wars (1938?).

Land-Lease Program 1941-1946 - US Department of Agriculture; Capper attacks land-lease, objecting to dictatorial powers given to President to lease, lend or give any American defense supplies to any foreign country 1941.

Lincoln, Abraham 1918-1943 - Lincoln Day addresses by Capper.

Lobbying 1930-1948 - “Looting by the Lobby” speech 1930; new lobbying act 1947; US Savings & Loan League indicted for failing to register properly under provisions of act.

London Conference 1930 – radio broadcast; St. Louis paper clipping.

Loyalty – US Government 1946-1948 - correspondence with Robert L. Owens of California re House Committee on Un-American Activities and Rees speech in House 1948.

Mines & Minerals 1942-1944 - Department of the Interior and Bureau of Mines re zinc/lead deposits in Baxter Springs, especially the McArthur field; small business problems of zinc & lead ore producers; HR6941 support of continuation of premium prices for lead & zinc ores; mining subcommittee of Senate Special Committee on Small Business – report; clippings; Contract Settlement Act 1944; War Minerals Relief Commission history 1919-1941.

National Defense 1939-1941 – National Association of Manufacturers; Capper warning against defense spending waste; Capper urging US keep out of European war; war appropriation dollars; Capper urging strong national defense program to keep US out of war.
National Defense Advisory Council 1940-1948 – advisory body to Council of National Defense; problem of establishing defense industries in middle west.

Organizations (A) 1945-1951 – Academy of Arts & Sciences; Alliance for Guidance of Rural Youth; Allied Youth; America First Committee; American Business Men’s Research Foundation; American Country Life Association, Inc.; American Friends Service Committee; American Foundation for Overseas Blind, Inc.; American Peace Society; Amvets; American War Dads; American Youth Congress; Americans for Democratic Action; Americans United for World Organization; Archives of Time Foundation, Inc. (Idaho); Armenian National Committee.

Organizations J-N – Japan International Christian University Foundation; Kansas Council for Children; Kansas Hi-Y; Kansas Society for Crippled Children; Keep American Out of War Congress; Kosciuszko Foundation; Lafayette Preventorium; Layman’s Movement for a Christian World; League for the American Home, Inc.; Lord’s Day Alliance for the US; Love’em All Club; Madison Square Boys’ Club; Masonic Lodge; National Civic Federation; National Committee for Christian Leadership; National Conference of Christians & Jews; National Council of American People, Inc.; National Economic Council, Inc.; National Federation of the Blind; Kansas State Advisory Committee for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis; American Heart Association; National Institute of Family Relations; Illinois Association for Applied Psychology; National Kindergarten Association; National Municipal League; national Popular Government League; National Probation Association; National Recreation Association; National Republic Organization; National Women’s Trade Union League; National Woman’s Party; Near East Foundation.

Organizations – NAACP 1922-1949 – articles by Walter White.

Organizations – National Council for Prevention of War 1936-1952 Frederick J. Libby, executive secretary.

Organizations – O-Z – Panepirotic Federation of America, Inc.; Pan-Rhodian Society; Peace Now Movement; Peoples Mandate to Governments to End War; Polish American Congress, Inc.; Post War Council; Public Ownership League of America; Rally of Hope; St. Francis Boys’ Home; Salvation Army; Save the Children Fund (S. J. Crumbine, M.D., executive vice-chair); Save the Children Federation; Spastics of America, Inc.; Sunshine Foundation Junior Republic; Topeka Orphans’ Home; United Brotherhood Tolerance Movement; United Cerebral Palsy Association; United Nations Fund; USO; United States Federation of Justice; United States Flag Association; United States Patriotic Society, Inc.; the Volunteers of America; Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom; World Council of Christian Education; World Government Association; World’s Sunday School Association; YMCA.

Palestine Question 1942-1948 – Arab National League critical of Capper’s support of Jewish refugees; United Palestine Appeal; American Emergency Committee for Zionist Affairs (Rabbi Stephen S. Wise); Council of Jewish Organizations; Secretary of War Robert P. Patterson 1946; Secretary of State Dean Acheson; League for a Free Palestine (Maurice Rosenblatt, executive secretary); case of Rabbi Baruch Korff; Capper support of UN decision to reestablish a Jewish state in Palestine; Paul Reznikoff; Americans for Haganah; shock of US reversing its decision on Palestine; question of lifting arms embargo to Israel; clippings, artifical records.

Philippine Islands 1933-1948 – support of bill granting independence to Philippines 1933; S1734 pay for Americans remaining in Philippines after Pearl Harbor, especially members of Philippine Army for services to US in WW II; Philippines War Damage Commission; Argao Institute.

Presidential Tenure 1945-1947 – American Citizens Association advocating limiting presidential term to single six-year term or two terms of four years each (22nd Amendment—as of 8/12/47 ratified by 18 states); speech.

Prisoners of War 1941-1948 – (both US prisoners overseas and Axis prisoners in US); Secretary of State Cordell Hull re repatriation of individuals; possible POW camp near Concordia 1942; individual letters from families of POW’s re exchange; 1942 letter from POW in Shanghai, reply in 1943; temporary German prisoner camp at old CCC buildings near Council Grove; War Relocation Authority; War Manpower Commission—use of prisoners to relieve acute labor shortage; treatment of German POW’s in Hillsboro; Edward W. Franzke, state manpower director, War Manpower Commission; Veterans of Foreign Wars object to use of POW’s as laborers, citing unfair competition 1945; clippings.

Public Works Administration 1935-1940 – National Emergency Council; Secretary of Agriculture Henry Wallace; producers and wholesalers’ problems (possibility of PWA funds to construct wholesale fruit and vegetable market in Kansas City); application for improvement of public levy property of Kansas City including erection of grain elevator terminal dock 1934.

Small Business 1940-1948 – Charles G. Daughters’ application for position of director of research for Committee on Small Business Research Survey (James E. Murray, chairman); OPA; postwar difficulties in procuring steel.

State Department 1946 – American Society of Newspaper Editors—committee of eight editors to investigate world news distribution with particular attention to State Department’s information activities; copy of nine-page report.

Steel 1947-1948 – freezing of large quantities of steel at manufacturing plants by Army; Kansas manufacturers’ concern with farm implement production (sheet steel shortage); question of steel pipe for domestic production of oil in Kansas; Steel Subcommittee Hearings in Kansas City, MO.

Synthetic Rubber 1941-1943 – proposed synthetic rubber plant in Kansas; interested in chemical rather than agricultural methods because of time factor; city of Atchison interested in being site for plant, but by 1943 no chance for Kansas site.

Veterans 1921-1948 – legislation proposed by The American Legion; United Spanish War Veterans; Veterans of Foreign Wars; clippings, mimeos.

Box 25
General Correspondence Veterans Hospitals – WW I

Veterans Hospitals 1940-1947 – possibility of new base hospital at Leavenworth & Independence for 7th corps area; application of Fort Scott for new Army General Hospital; Topeka Army General Hospital completed 1942; consideration of construction of 1500 bed hospital near Wichita; Gen. Omar Bradley letter to capper re Salina losing out to Topeka for VA hospital because of building condition & local help problem 1946; Karl Menninger concerned with potential reduction in allocations 1947; problem of Kansas brick manufacturers being able to compete in bidding for VA hospital job; announcement of Winter General Hospital to be directed by Dr. Karl Menninger 1945.

Vivisection 1942-1948 – Animal Protective Association; International Conference Against Vivisection; Langer-Burdick bill against vivisection 1945 & reintroduced by Lemke of ND 1947; national Society for the Humane Regulation of Vivisection; Anti-Vivisection of the District of Columbia.

War Assets Administration 1945-1948 disposal of war surplus material, including land; federal funds to higher educational institutions to help them meet demands of veterans education; Camp Phillips hospital & other buildings taken over by Smoky Hill Army Air Base; Liberal Army Air Field (there were 40 military airfields in Kansas at end of WW II); mimeos.

WW I – General Correspondence 1917-1918 – League for National Unity; letter to parents whose son was first from Kansas to die in service (but not on battlefield) in 1917; National Committee of Patriotic Societies; United War Work Campaign; telegrams.

WW II – Profiteers 1929-1936 – Ray Murphy, National Commander of American Legion, statement to Congress to take profits out of war; article on Bernard Baruch pamphlet “Taking the Profit Out of War”; 1929 Capper Memorial Day speech “Put an End to War Profits, Now”.

Public Defender 1937-1946 – S2028 Capper sponsored & HR3155 Scott sponsored Public Defender bill 1937; Samuel Rubin writing book 1937; letters from lawyers in state with public defender system; 1939 S2871 reintroduction of Public Defender bill by Capper, creating office of PD for District of Columbia, S1845 creating office of Public Defender in each judicial district 1939; S488 providing for appointment of public defender in each US District Court 1941; S1780 Public Defender bill 1946, clippings.

Suffrage 1921-1939 – re voteless District of Columbia; Voteless District of Columbia League of Women Voters; Federation of Business Men’s Associations; National Representation for DC; DC Federation of Women’s Clubs; clippings, mimeos, pamphlets, speeches.

Box 28
General Correspondence Washington, DC – Youth

Washington, DC (con’t.)

Suffrage 1940-1944 – Capper recognized leader in fight for DC suffrage; S1513 regulating election of delegates from DC to national conventions 1940; S288 Presidential Primary bill 1941; S33 supported by Capper giving DC people right to vote for President & Vice-President of US; support letters from various groups; clippings.

Temple Heights 1941-1945 – S2567 to purchase Temple Heights for memorial to Grand Army of the Republic, with site to provide recreation center for government employees as well, 1942; S2059 1941; S157 1943; S332 1945; SJR50 1945.

Winter General Hospital 1941-1948 – 1942 decision to construct general army hospital in Topeka; Mark Drehmer, Harry Woodring & Dusty Rhoads urging permanent construction but only able to get semi-permanent approved; 1945 strategy to have hospital operated by VA after released by army; October 1946 Truman signs authorization for 1000 bed neuropsychiatric hospital to replace Winter Veterans Hospital which will then be turned back to army; 1948 appropriation funds for site only. Purchase of various amounts to acreage to add to site.

Women 1915-1948 – Women’s World Court Committee 1926; Votes for Women Empire State Campaign Committee 1915; Equal Franchise Federation; National Women’s Party 1928; National League of Women Voters 1929; Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom; Women’s International Education Council; World Woman’s Party; General Federation of Women’s Clubs; Women’s Patriotic Conference on National Defense (WW II); clippings, speeches, broadcasts.

Youth 1937-1944 – Kansas Allied Workers; American Youth Congress; Young Communist League of USA (Waldo McNutt); opposition to Capper’s endorsing American Youth Congress (considered leftist because of involvement with Young Communist League)—expressed by Clarence P. Oakes of Independence; 1938 Capper refuses board membership on AYC, but listed as patron Annual Dinner 1939; National Youth Administration; National Youth Commission of the American Council on Education 1939; clippings, speeches.

Theodore Roosevelt 1912-1941 – only one letter 1912 and one telegram 1918 from “T. Roosevelt” and Theodore Roosevelt. Rest from his son? (Theodore Roosevelt, Oyster Bay, LI; Office of the Governor General of the Philippines; Doubleday, Odran & Co.)

Alcove Springs 1947-1948 – possibility of designating this historical Oregon Trail campground an historical site/national park. S1335 introduced by Capper by adverse report by Department of Interior suggesting it be a state or county park.

Alien Apportionment – Immigration – General Correspondence 1929-1947 deportation of criminal aliens 1929; issue of eliminating the effect of alien population in fixing apportionment as to federal representatives; American Christian Alliance, American Protestant Alliance, Wm. H. Anderson, General Secretary; Sen. Reynolds’ bill 1939 to provide registration of aliens, deportation of those troublesome and restrictions “until the melting pot can catch up”; 1939 Un-American Activities & keeping US out of war; Sres85 to amend Federal Constitution to stop counting aliens when reapportioning Congressional districts; New York Civic League.

Pension Record – volume – includes letter to Capper from Peter Norbeck, chairman of Committee on Pensions, re status of 18 pension bases, each one of which has a separate bill number; alphabetized, 1919-1943.

1917 – Capper’s political record; AME Church, Kansas City, KS; mothers’ pensions & prohibition; Father & Son Banquet; “The Flag”; “End of the King Business”; “The Man in the Ranks”; “We Must Stand by the Kansas Boys at the Front”; “Kansas’ Duty in Time of War”; “Patriotic Meeting”; State Council of Defense; Leavenworth Citizenship; Fort Scott High School.

1917 – (cont) – Inaugural Address; “Simplifying Government in Kansas” article in Teaching Journal; State Temperance Union; Stockman of Arkansas City; Kansas Editorial Association; Agricultural Conference; Council of Clubs in Kansas City; New York Advertising Men; Knights of Pythias State Convention; Memorial Day, Wichita; “Let the War Profits Pay the Bill”, Ex-Governors’ Saturday Night Club; July 4th, Olathe “100% Americanism”; Unveiling of McPherson statue, McPherson July 4th; “This Must Be the Last War”, Chatauqua address, Sterling; “Human Hogs in War Time”, Auburn; “After the War”; “The Republican Party’s Service to the Nation in Time of Crisis, Annual Banquet of Missouri Republican Club, Kansas City; Caldwell High School; “The Era of the Golden Rule in Business”; Influence of Church in Public Opinion; men at Fort Sheridan; roads needing attention article (written by Dillon for Hutchinson News & Highway Magazine).

1919 – “Our Duty and Responsibility at the Close of the World War”; Inaugural Address; Victory Liberty Loan, Topeka; Bureau of Advertising; Shriners; “How the High Cost of Living and Profiteering Hits the Farmer and Stockman”, US Senate; “Profiteer and Bolshevist (Each Is a Menace to the Country)”, US Senate; pamphlet: “The Road Program of Kansas”; Red Cross, Topeka; “What Makes a City Great”, Battle Creek, MI.

1920 – “The Mid-West Farm Market for Motor Trucks”, Highway Transport Conference, NYC; “The Farmer’s Place in American Business”, Farm Paper Conference; “Our Greatest Menace is the Greed of the Profiteers”, US Senate; “Food Production Is the Nation’s Most Vital Problem”, US Senate; “Profiteers Wax Fat and Smile While the People Pay and Groan”, US Senate’ “Financing of Agricultural Operations”, US Senate; “Motor Cars and the Community Life”.

1921 – “Protection of American Agriculture is a National Duty”, USS; “American Legion Program Should Supersede All Other Legislation”, USS’ “The Challenge of Agriculture to American Business”, NYC advertising men; “High Railroad Rates Greatest Obstacle to Restoration of Business” (re freight rates), USS; note penciled on New Jersey speech indicating Capper feel that “leaving out Junior Senator KS has a strong delegation”; “The ‘Farm Bloc’ and What It Means to the Nation”, USS.

1922 – US Senate: “Freight Rates Must Be Reduced”; “A Constructive National Program for Agriculture”; “Fallacy of American Valuation”; “Agriculture Must Have Reduced Freight Rates”; “Public Schools of the District”.

1938 (cont) – Republican Party Celebration, Girard; Farm Bureau broadcast, WIBW; World Affairs, WIBW; Armament Race, WIBW, New National Farm Program, WIBW; Proposed Amendment to Constitution re Uniform Laws on Marriage & Divorce, WIBW; ME Church, Oskaloosa; Christmas greetings, WIBW; Western Kansas trip; Campaign, 1938; What Congress May Do; Pope-Jones Water Facilities Act of 1937; Tightening Up Spending; Board of Trade Gambling in Wheat; My Program; Pump Priming, USS; Political notes on an envelope; Government Needs to Be Run on Business-like Basis.
1939 – Problems of Increased Armaments, WIBW; new session of Congress, WIBW; Presidential Message to Congress, WIBW; State of Union address, emphasizing foreign policy aspect, WIBW; The Peoples Lobby; approval of FDR’s taxing private income from federal, state or municipal governments, WIBW; “Rural Youth as a National Asset”, Alliance for Guides of Rural Youth meeting; Spending, What Industry Thinks of Agriculture Problem, WIBW; opposition to turning over authority to President to play Old World power game of power politics; War Situation, WIBW; United States Flag Association’s Lincoln’s Birthday-Eve radio program; Farm Matters, WIBW; Kansas State students, Manhattan; Family Sized Farms, Farm Interest, WIBW; fortification of Guam problem, WIBW; Bund, Aliens, Freedom of Speech, WIBW; National Forum of the Air in Support of the Proposed War Referendum Amendment to the Constitution; National Board of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, NYC; Spending Too Much, WIBW; Farmers & Cost of Production, WIBW; Take the Profits Out of War, WIBW; Neutrality, WIBW; Politics in WPA, Aliens & Immigration, WIBW; Maryland State Division of Keep American Out of War Congress; Refugee Children, WIBW; Hitler & Europe, WIBW; Bloom’s Neutrality Act; War Hysteria, NBC, Neutrality, radio; Longer Session of Congress, WIBW; War Referendum, WIBW; Dedication of Boys’ Republic Stadium, Arlington, VA; “Keeping Out of War”, National Grange, radio; mail bag, WIBW; national representation for District of Columbia, John Burroughs High School.

1940 (cont) – supporting Wendell Willkie, WIBW; home again, WIBW; recent trip to 6th & 7th districts, WIBW; pre-election talk, WIBW; Hi-Twelve, Topeka (post-election); post-election results, WIBW; return to Congress, WIBW; Congress remaining in session, WIBW; two main thrusts in upcoming Congress: revision of Johnson Act & Neutrality Act so Britain can get credit from US & repeal of “cash & carry’ provision of Neutrality Act, WIBW; Dictatorship, Autocracy, Logan-Walker Bill, Loans to Europe & South America, WIBW; need to decentralize ever-increasing army of federal employees, WIBW; “Defend America First”, Chicago; An All-Around American Leader, supporting Sen. Charles L. McNary for Republican vice-presidential nomination; National Convention Farmers Union, Topeka; “Should We Have A War Referendum”; Granik Newspaper Forum re farm problem, McNary-Haugen Two Price Plan; FDR urged to not run for third term; unable to attend Republican State Convention; Fifty Years, Business Magazine; How National Election Will Go; Bill of Rights; Too Much Executive Power; Stop Gambling in Grain Markets; Unemployment; Monopolies Must be Checked; Taxes Must be Reduced; Aliens; For the Merit System in Government Service; Cut Off the Useless Job-holders; Ask Europe to Pay Her War Debts; Take the Profit Out of War; Keep Out of Foreign Wars; Take Relief Out of Politics; Too Much Spending; We Want More Farm Owners, The American market for the American Farmer; Lower Interest Rates for Farmers; Must Have Equality for Agriculture; Farmers Need Help from their Government; Stop Tax Exemption; Farmer Must Get Cost of Production and a Fair Profit; support of AAA as emergency measure.

Miscellaneous Speeches – collection of undated speeches on a variety of subjects, unidentified as to occasion as well.

Miscellaneous Speeches – second folder of same.

Box 61
Miscellaneous Speeches and Notes

Miscellaneous Speeches- undated speeches on a variety of subjects, unidentified as to occasion.

Miscellaneous Speeches – undated speeches on a variety of subjects unidentified as to occasion.

Miscellaneous Speeches- undated speeches on a variety of subjects, unidentified as to occasion.

Miscellaneous Speeches – undated speeches on a variety of subjects unidentified as to occasion.

Miscellaneous Notes – undated; clippings.

Miscellaneous Notes – undated; both handwritten & typewritten.

Miscellaneous Notes – undated; on small square pink pieces of paper.

Box 62
Miscellaneous Notes

Undated, handwritten notes on small pieces of paper.

Box 63
Diaries and Notebooks 1886 – 1936

Two 5x8x1 notebooks of names and addresses.

1886 diary 3x5x1 – sparsely filled in.

11 appointment diaries (2x5) for 1915-1918, 1924-1928, 1932, 1936.

Undated 3x5 slim notebook of quotes & sayings, in pencil.

Two 5x8x3/4 diaries: June 19, 1891- Feb. 29, 1892 by Arthur Capper
June 19, 1891- Feb. 19, 1892 by Florence Crawford
Identical, leather-bound diaries given to Capper by Florence Crawford, requesting at the beginning of his that he write in it daily and she will do the same in hers (Capper was going to Washington for several months).

Box 64
Personal Papers

1853-1872 – personal letters of Arthur Capper’s father, Herbert, to and from friends—mostly typewritten.
1883-1889 – items & clippings of Arthur Capper, including his high school valedictory speech at Garnett; correspondence as City Editor of the Daily Capital (position taken after high school).

1890-1897 – summary of newspaper work 1884-1892. Capper starting in business for himself with the Topeka Mail. 1896 cartoon.

1900-1909 – mostly 1908 & 1909. Personal & business transaction to and from Capper (Governor, Mayor, etc.). Pencil remarks of Capper re opening of new building January 1909. Copies of The Certificate of Capper’s being appointed Kansas State University regent for four years, ending 4/1/13.

Box 65
Personal Papers 1920 – 1940

1921 – mostly mail to Capper; several items re stopping promotion of Major Robert G. Peck.

1922 – invitation to dinner from the President of the United States; copy of letter to Henry Blake stating Capper’s Senate record to date.

1923 – five letters to Capper; interview in New York Evening Post.

1924 – courtesy letters to Capper; clippings, speeches.

1925 – personal & business to Capper; Arthur Capper’s passport (1925 Special) for him and his wife, Florence, with visas. Program for Associated Press luncheon honoring Vice-President of US.

1926 – One letter in the fall re Florence’s death from Carroll B. Merriam in Topeka. Summary of Capper’s career to date. “Capper and the Christmas Pig” story. Copy of Florence Capper’s obituary. (she was born July 1, 1868, married December 1, 1892 and died May 10, 1926.).

1927 – copy of NY Herald Tribune story of Coolidge choosing not to run; Capper with him in Rapid City, South Dakota at the summer White House at the time. Capper relates returning to the Black Hills after announcement at press conference. Copy of Chapter 33 from William Allen White’s “A Puritan in Babylon”.

1951 – many letters re Capper’s death December 19, 1951; courtesy mail to & from Capper prior to death; clippings; description of Capper’s wedding by Peggy of the Flint Hills, Topeka Daily Capital columnist 8/29/51. Notebook of expenses for period of illness preceding death; copies of interrogatories to be presented to Arthur Capper, witness for defendant in Mississippi Valley Trust Co vs International Reform Federation.

1944 – record of editorial meeting 1/4; newsprint quota concerns; Henry S. Blake principal correspondent; concern with converting remaining certificates into new securities or cash; concern re pay raises; Capper states “nearly half my work here (Washington, DC) has to do with Capper Publication and their affairs”; current assets as of May $500,000 in bank balances and US certificates. Liquidation of Missouri Agricultural Publishing Company be September; concerns re business downturn ahead; minutes of Board of Directors meeting, TNPC; copies of Capper’s Farmer News Letter.

1945 – June-December – correspondence with Mr. Libby of the National Council for the Prevention of War; Henry S. Blake primary correspondent; Capper unable to be in Topeka for 80th birthday; salaries paid branch office employees; 26 year record of Household Magazine advertising revenue; end of WW II; business looking good in terms of advertising; Capper Printing Co.’s September statement; report sheet for October, with Capper’s Weekly and Household Magazine showing good profit; internal upper level staff problems; copy of Accident Policy.

1947 – May-December – Household Magazine still in difficulty; minutes of two Board of Directors meetings; considering using presses of Deering Co. in Louisville, KY; Stauffer relationship very tentative; April statement; newsprint shortage; Capper Publications planning to float $4,000,000 in bonds for expansion program; Household Magazine only part of operations in the red; red (October statement of earnings for different operations); outlook for 1948 better; problem of oleomargarine advertising in farm publications.

Capper Publications Cont)
1948 – Household Magazine in new form; need for publications to reflect changing scene in farming, with farmers now 3/4 mechanic and 1/4 farmer; great October issue of Capper’s Farmer; newsprint shortage still worrisome; Capper making plans to move back to Topeka after retiring from US Senate; rising cost in labor and material. Henry S. Blake primary correspondent.

1949 – amount of correspondence with Blake decreases significantly as Capper returns to Topeka; INS pressures paper to use them as well as United Press news service (already also using AP); need to supply local news to AP; press room description.

1938 – possibility of increasing nighttime power to equal daytime power of 5000 watts. List of property accounts for WIBW; need for new transmitter; correspondence with Ben Ludy, General Manager of WIBW; issue of KCKN competition.

1939 – possibility of acquiring another station of 100 watts in Topeka.

1947 – trying to eliminate all but most desirable religious broadcasts by upping rate nearly 200%; Representative Albert Cole seeks 10 minutes each week to comment on governmental & congressional matters. Recollections about Capper home at 135 Topeka Blvd which had been made into WIBW studio; letters commending WIBW for public service announcements.

1948 – concerns with KSAL & KFBI; FCC not likely to clear Laubengayer’s purchase of KFBI; primarily Ludy correspondence but some from listeners as well.

1949-1951 – report on CBS Television Clinic—possibility of going into television.